Do clients ask you why they should spend their hard-earned money to update their web site when it looks satisfactory to them the way it is. As a web design professional, here are three good reasons you can use. First and most importantly, is to keep the attention of the search engines. Second is to keep the site updated with the newer technology that is always coming out. Third is to give repeat visitors a reason to return with something new to look at. Let’s look at each of these individually… Continue reading →

If you are a web designer for smaller businesses, you will frequently be asked, “Who do you recommend that I can use to host my web site?“. Or more likely your client won’t know to ask that but instead will say, “What else do I need to be on the Internet?”. Because web design is primarily an artistic “ponytail” endeavor whereas hosting is mostly more techie than artistic, you may prefer to steer clear of hosting. This could be a mistake. Continue reading →

I read an interesting article in my July/August 2010 issue of FastCompany.com magazine titled “Blowing the Baton Pass“. The gist of the article was to create a metaphor of the top-notch skill of the US 2008 Olympic relay team’s botched passing of the baton and relating it to business. It is a great metaphor. The US relay team had, by all appearances, the best winning team in the world. Except one seemingly minor detail. Under pressure, they dropped the baton when passing from one to the other — causing a disqualification. Continue reading →

I have a bias because I host most of my web design clients. I did it out of desperation. I used to suggest that my clients shop around and get a low price — after all, it is just a place to put files to connect to the Internet, right? Many of my clients would come to me later bemoaning the poor service they were getting from their web host and ask me who I’d recommend. There were some “expensive” services out there but I’d always suggest another low-cost service to try. Then when problems arose, I was blamed for recommending that service. Continue reading →

Included in being a full service web designer is selling domain names. Like offering hosting services (see my article on offering hosting services to your clients) you should include domain name sales to your toolbox. Unlike some other services, there is not much money to be made in domain name management. I sell mine for $25 per year. You probably won’t get rich by selling domain names to your clients. But your client trusts that you know how to secure domain names for them. Continue reading →

Many people look for the domain name that they want and, finding it is taken, grab something that doesn’t match their image. Here are some suggestions when getting a domain name. Continue reading →

I responded to a budding web designer who is running into obstacles in his business because he believes he is a poor salesman. I will share what I told him in hopes it will help others…

I used to think I was a weak salesman. I believed that old wives tale that if I offered a better mousetrap, the sales would overwhelm me. In all of my ventures, it never happened that way. Even though I offered what equated to an excellent mousetrap, the sales never came unless I went out and got them. And that was a problem for me. I hate to cold call. I hate to try to push my products or services on someone, even when I know they need it. I hate to box someone in based upon their “pain” just so I can sell them the solution to their pain. Some folks are very good at that. Some even love it. They talk about going on a hunt. Moving in for the kill. I used to try to develop that “killer instinct” but it just wasn’t my style. Sound familiar? Continue reading →

As web designers, many of us want to find a niche market in which to place our focus. Many years ago, I was a restaurant owner. Naturally, since it is an area I know a lot about, I tried to make that one of my areas of web design expertise. After handling some restaurant sites, I started realizing that the ones I was working with were very low on funding and wanted someone to bedazzle them with artistic creativity. My practical advice and solid web site services to help build their customer base didn’t seem as important to them as a lot of eye candy and glitter. Continue reading →